John Clay's Sidelines

Tim Tebow (AP photo)

SEC links for Wednesday:

Brad Locke of the NE Mississippi Daily Journal reports that MSU’s Renardo Sidney has spoken: “‘I was hurt, because I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong. It just killed me, because I really wanted to be on the floor helping my team win. Someone else was deciding my fate and it didn’t feel fair. It was tough, and I experienced a lot of emotions. It was like a dream, but a bad one.’”

NCAA investigators returning to South Carolina, reports Joe Person of The State: “NCAA investigators will return to Columbia this week as part of their ongoing probe into possible illegal activity between sports agents and college football players, two sources told The State on Tuesday. NCAA officials met with South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders last month about whether the senior from Durham, N.C., engaged in any impermissible dealings with agents.”

Tim Tucker of the AJC reports that Aaron Murray looked good in first Georgia scrimmage: “On offense, Richt said Murray ‘made a lot of very good decisions and good throws,’ although his one interception ‘was not a very wise decision.’ Murray completed 12 of 21 passes for 237 yards, highlighted by the two touchdown throws to Green.

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel writes that Tim Tebow’s departure might not be a bad thing: “Even at UF’s Media Day Tuesday, the major storyline seemed to be this: How can the Gators possibly avert a Biblical plague and keep Ben Hill Griffin Stadium from getting turned into a dust bowl by a swarm of locusts without Timmy Terrific here as its protector and promise keeper.”

Continue reading ‘SEC: Renardo Sidney speaks; NCAA back to Columbia’

SEC links for Saturday:

• ESPN’s Rick Reilly tries to take up for ex-Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin.
• Tennessee says it will not release Bryce Brown from his scholarship, reports Austin Ward of the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
• No, synthetic turf is not coming back to Neyland Stadium, writes Mike Strange of the News-Sentinel.
• Cooperation is the key to solving the agent issue, writes Pat Forde of espn.com.
• Georgia opens camp with a long to-do list, writes Tim Tucker of the AJC.
• Florida basketball will play Ohio State next season, blogs Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Rick Reilly tries to defend Lane Kiffin’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Bobby Johnson’s sudden retirement stuns Commodores, reports Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean.

• Joe Biddle of the Tennessean says Vanderbilt football claimed another victim.

• Suspended Georgia running back Dontavius Jackson will transfer, reports Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald.

• Bobby Johnson did a lot with a little, writes Rick Cleveland of the Clarion-Ledger.

• 

  Jenn Brown

  New Vandy coach Robbie Caldwell is called intense, writes Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean.

• Some fans suspicious about timing of Johnson’s retirement, writes Maurice Patton of the Tennessean.

• Mark Wiedmer of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that Johnson’s departure is puzzling.

• Wayne Chism is talking Turkey as a backup plan, reports Mike Griffith of the News-Sentinel.

• Another report, another twist to the Vol Brawl, writes the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

• Erin Andrews’ replacement, Jenn Brown, has carved her own path, writes Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel.

Continue reading ‘SEC: Bobby Johnson’s retirement shocks Vandy’

(AP photo/Butch Dill)

Full-time radio host and part-time author Paul Finebaum of the Mobile Press-Register is out with his annual rankings of the SEC football coaches. In my book, Paul has some hits, but several misses, especially after the top three.

Here are my rankings, with Finebaum’s rankings in parenthesis:

• 1. Nick Saban, Alabama (1): Has passed Florida’s Urban Meyer as the conference and national king. Saban has won two national titles at two different schools. There is not a better coach in the nation at coming up with defensive schemes that stop opposing passing quarterbacks. Look at the passing numbers of Alabama’s opponents last year. They are ridiculous.

• 2. Urban Meyer, Florida (2): The Urbinator came off as a bit wacky during his retired/not retired fiasco last winter. He’s supposedly rested, ready and back to attack the Crimson Tide. He doesn’t have Tim Tebow this time around. It will be interesting to see how the Gators perform.

• 3. Bobby Petrino, Arkansas (3): At first glance, thought Finebaum had the ex-Louisville coach too high. But upon further review, this is probably about right. After going 13-12 his first two seasons in Fayetteville, Petrino should be ready for a breakout campaign.

• 4. Mark Richt, Georgia (5): Richt is supposedly on the hot seat at Georgia after his pre-season No. 1 Bulldogs failed to win the title in 2008, then slipped considerably last year. Still think Richt is a good coach, who has yet to make the leap to greatness. He’s still in rebuilding mode this year.

• 5. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina (4): The shine is off Coach Superior, but I’d still hate to face him in on any given Saturday. The question this year is whether Spurrier can get the most out of quarterback Stephen Garcia and take advantage of Tennessee and Georgia both appearing to be down a bit.

Continue reading ‘My own rankings of SEC football coaches 1-12′

SEC links for Thursday:

• Bob Gillispie of The State writes that with Steve Spurrier, that was then, this is now.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger writes that Mississippi State wants to turn up the volume on Alabama.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on a guard duo that is prepared to sign with Tennessee.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate writes on LSU’s early basketball recruiting class.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that when Bobby Johnson talks, the SEC should listen.
• Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News looks at the highest-paid SEC assistant football coaches.
• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun thinks Florida assistant Charlie Strong is too smart to take the Memphis job.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the News says it’s not too early to predict Alabama-Florida.
• Junkyard Blawg lists 10 great Georgia wins over Auburn.
• David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that A.J. Green is back in the mix for Georgia.

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that the SEC should suspend Lane Kiffin.
• But John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that there is no such thing as bad publicity.
• Mike Griffith of the News-Sentinel writes that Chris Lofton is at home playing in Spain.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports on SEC reprimanding MSU coach Dan Mullen.
• Jay Greeson of the Chattanooga Times Fress Press writes that SEC officials remain in the limelight.
• Ken Suguria of the AJC writes on Tim Tebow’s SEC legacy.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Those bad boy football coaches’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Seth Emerson of The State writes that ACC-SEC rivalry adds to South Carolina-N.C. State opener.
• Tony Barnhart of the AJC looks at how rowdy it might get for Georgia in Stillwater.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Memphis wants to rock Ole Miss’ world.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is good to go.
• ESPN’s Chris Low offers watch to watch in the SEC for Week 1.
• Ray Melick of the Birmingham News writes that after the NCAA ruling, it’s “game on” for Alabama.
• Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean writes that Vandy coach Bobby Johnson knows this opponent well.
• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Lane Kiffin was unhappy with Tennessee’s Wednesday practice.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that Tennessee quarterback Jonathon Crompton is confident again.
• Randy Rosetta writes in The Advocate that LSU is working on a new offensive wrinkle.

SEC links for Friday:

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Mississippi State has replaced its long-time (and distinctive) public address announcer.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that there are deflating issues for the Florida Gators.
• Joseph Person of The State reports that South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is encouraged by quarterback Stephen Garcia.
• Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean reports that Lane Kiffin and Bobby Johnson are toning down the UT-Vandy rivalry.
• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes not to look for Tennessee to just get by on defense.
• Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the NCAA has granted immediate eligibility to Arkansas running back Broderick Green.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register writes that Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain is talking it up.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate writes that Tiger Tour shines spotlight on LSU coaches.

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Joe Person of The State reports that returnees Devan Downey and Dominique Archie are thinking big things for South Carolina basketball.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate reports on LSU’s extra-inning win over Texas in first game of CWS finals.
• Jim Kleinpeter of the Times-Picayune writes on the clutch hits that drove LSU to victory.
• ESPN’s SEC blogger Chris Low writes on the good and bad of covering recruiting.
• At the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes on a shock jock who ridicules Alabama fans.
• Also in the Press-Register, Tommy Hicks writes that Florida is the near unanimous pick to win a second straight BCS title.
• Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News writes that spread offense quarterbacks find it difficult to adjust.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: South Carolina basketball is thinking big’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Nate Allen of the NW Arkansas Times offers that the Tommy Tuberville/Bobby Petrino example shows that coaches should go with what they know.

• Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette writes that after a poor start, the Arkansas defense is improving.

• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News writes that Nick Sabans’ love of power backs has contributed to Alabama’s success on offense.

• But David Brandt in the Clarion-Ledger writes that Ole Miss is ready for Bama’s smashmouth attack.

• Drew Edwards of the Knoxville News-Sentinel says that Phil Fulmer is thanking supporters during UT’s 2-4 start.

• But John Adams, columnist for the News-Sentinel offers that Sylvester Croom could play terminator to Fulmer’s job security.

• Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News will stir up Vandy fans, saying that Commodores coach Bobby Johnson would be a good fit for Clemson.

• Maurice Patton of the Tennessean writes that Vandy needs to locate some offense in order to beat Georgia.

• Charles Golberg of the Birmingham News reports that Auburn linebacker Tray Blackmon is out for the season with a cracked bone in his right wrist.

• In The State, Joe Person writes that South Carolina receiver Jason Barnes is coming into his own.

• In The Advocate, Randy Rosetta writes that LSU’s backups on offense are waiting to contribute.

• Kyle Veazey in The Clarion-Ledger writes that Mississippi State continues to try new things on offense.

• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes about the Florida basketball team, which starts practice Friday.